62 DADD'S VETERINARY SURGERY AND MEDICINE. 
but does the surgeon imagine that callous will form better, or an 
abscess be resolved or reach maturity sooner, by general blond- 
letting and antiphlogistics? Experience teaches him otherwise; 
and in the same manner it may be most reasonably argued that 
such treatment can not favor the natural termination of internal 
inflammations. 
6TH T’rop.—That all positive knowledge of the experience of the 
past, as well as the more exact observation of the present day, atthe 
establish the truth of the preceding propositions as guides for tha 
future. 
Before it is possible, however, to determine with exactitude the 
value of any practice, it is essential to ascertain the natural dura- 
tion of the disease we propose to treat. Fortunately, we have 
now some data which will enable us to arrive at this information 
with regard to many diseases. We have seen many severe case¢ 
of pneumonia submitted te homepathic remedies—-that no rea 
sonable medical man can suppose to be any thing else than inert—- 
vet most of these cases got well, and, I think, may be considered 
as excellent studies of the disease left entirely to Nature. Many 
years’ experience and close observation have convinced me thay 
uncomplicated pneumonia, especially in young and vigorous con - 
stitutions, almost always gets well, if, instead of being lowered, 
the vital powers are supported, and the excretion of effete pro- 
ducts assisted. Itis in exactly these cases, however, that we were 
formerly enjoined to bleed most copiously, and that our systematic 
works even now direct us to draw blood largely, in consequence 
of the supposed imminent danger of suppuration destroying the 
texture of the lung. Such danger is altogether iilusory, and the 
destruction to lung tissucs, so far from being prevented, is far 
more likely to be produced by the practice. Ja fact, the only 
cures in which it occurs are in the aged or enfeeufed constitutions 
in which nutrients, and not antiphlogistics, are the remedies indy 
rated. We can, however, readily understanu now blood-letting 
practiced early, and in young and vigorous constitutions, does les, 
harm, or, to use a common expressiun, 1s “ borne better,” thea 
when the disease is advanced, or the patient weak, and this be 
cause then the vital powers are less affected oy it. But that at 
cures the greater number of animals attacked, or shortens the 
duration of the disease, is disproved by every fact with whicu we 
are acquainted. Before ciusing we have a few words to ofter ow 
